I went to my local Verizon store today to ask whether they would have the 928 in stock to purchase on 05/16. I wasn't shocked to discover that no one really knew what was going on. I was told that there was nothing in their system for pre-ordering it. I was also told that because the 16th was the release date, they likely wouldn't have them in until the 17th...

None of this seemed right to me. Has anyone else been in a Verizon store to ask about this?

Honest Abe has said on another thread that it is normal for them to get new released phones delivered to the store on the day of release. I wouldn't sweat it. They may not have them first thing in the morning, but they'll have them that day.

As you seem to be in the know, how is it possible that employees in a corporate store are so ignorant of what the corporation sells?

I will concede, albeit, still somewhat in awe, that the sales associate may not know about new items coming down the pipe, but I then spoke with the store manager, or someone acting as manager, and they were just as lost as the associate.

As you seem to be in the know, how is it possible that employees in a corporate store are so ignorant of what the corporation sells?

I will concede, albeit, still somewhat in awe, that the sales associate may not know about new items coming down the pipe, but I then spoke with the store manager, or someone acting as manager, and they were just as lost as the associate.

It doesn't instill a sense of confidence with the brand.

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It's troubling. You would think that Verizon reps would be aware and educated about new phones. But alas, most of the reps I've ever dealt with are pretty clueless about the phones they are selling.

While there should be no reason why any rep shouldn't have known about when it was launching (after the official announcement of course), its quite common in the wireless industry for stores to not know inventory numbers for phone launches more than 2 days in advance. Just ask any T-Mobile rep about the HTC One launch...

But unfortunately, there are also many reps that don't care about anything besides Apple and Android because that's what most of the customers ask for. You are absolutely right about it not showing confidence in the brand...because a lot of reps don't, and mainly because they still think that WP8 still has no apps.

As I have a one hour drive to my local store and I work 10 hours later that day (Thursday), I will be calling my store Wednesday afternoon to make sure whether it will be in stock first thing in the morning. If not, I'll have to go Friday morning and hope the store gets enough stock for my area so I can still get one.

Well.. I don't know if this is worth anything, but on VZW news release it says
"The Global Ready™ Nokia Lumia 928 with wireless charging capabilities will be available online and in stores starting May 16 for $99.99 after $50 mail-in-rebate with a new two year customer agreement. "